MPs vote for law promising EU referendum by 304 - 0

MPs have voted unanimously to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the
European Union by the end of 2017.

As the House of Commons backed the new laws by 304 votes to nil, David Cameron said Britain is "one step closer" to giving voters a choice on Brussels,

The result is a major victory for eurosceptic Tory MPs and the UK Independence Party, who have put the Prime Minister under pressure to set out concrete plans for a poll.

The vast majority of Labour and Lib Dem MPs stayed away from the debate, dismissing the whole European Union (Referendum) Bill as a parliamentary "stunt".

However, not a single MP actually voted against the Bill for fear of alienating the electorate, as the party leaders fear many voters are anti-Europe.

Conservative MPs lined up to mock Labour for its "confused" position on the issue. Bill Cash, Tory MP for Stone, accused Labour of "neglecting their duty to their constituents if they continue to refuse to support this Bill".

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, also challenged Labour MPs to defy their leadership as it would be a "badge of honour" and "show their weak leadership some real leadership that is sorely needed".

"It did say in the note circulated by Labour whips that has also come into my possession 'We will be looking for suitable speakers so the chamber is not completely empty," he said, drawing laughs.

"Well, they need not have worried this chamber would be empty, because there are hundreds of us here determined the people will have their say."

In the end, six Labour MPs - Roger Godsiff, Kate Hoey, Kelvin Hopkins, Dennis Skinner, Graham Stringer and Gisela Stuart - rebelled against their party line and voted with the Tories.

MPs voted on the issue even though they would usually not bother when there is such obvious support in the chamber. Despite knowing it would pass anyway, two Tory MPs forced all their colleagues to walk through the "aye" lobby to ensure there was a record of Labour and Liberal Democrat abstentions.

The Bill's second reading in the House of Commons is only the first formal stage of its progress through Parliament.

Liberal Democrats and Labour sources have suggested they could try to kill the legislation in the House of Lords.

However, Mr Cameron said he would "do everything I can to support this Bill" and get it on to the statute book as a new law.

"That is the clear Conservative position that I will champion and I believe we will succeed," he said.

Speaking in the House of Commons during the debate, James Wharton, the backbench MP for Stockton South who proposed the bill, said he was proud to sponsor new laws that millions want.

"It is an honour for me to put forward a Bill that at its heart, the heart of our democracy - that powers should reside with the people," he said.

"In proposing this Bill I speak for many here, I speak for many millions outside because it was in 1975 of course that the Labour government gave the British people a say on our membership of the European community."

Although the speakers were mostly Conservatives, some Labour MPs spoke out strongly in favour of the bill.

Dennis Skinner, the veteran MP for Bolsover, even called for a vote before the next election, rather than before 2017 as proposed by the Conservatives.

"In 1971, I voted against the then Common Market and I voted for a referendum in 1975. Sadly, the country didn't follow my advice or we wouldn't be doing what we are doing here today," he said.

"However, there is one thing deficient in this Bill - it doesn't ask for a referendum until 2017. What we need is a referendum before the next election. Will you give that guarantee?"